8:00 AM: We arrive at Overlake Christian Church and gape at the size of the parking lot, the building–everything! The minute we walk in, we’re greeted by smiling people who get us registered and explain just how everything works. Excitement for the day runs high!
8:15 AM: With some time before the first General Session, we explore the large vendor hall–or should I say begin to explore–because we quickly realize that we could spend several hours in here alone. For now, we’re satisfied with a cursory overview that gives us an idea of what we’ll want to come back to in the breaks throughout the day.
9:00 AM: As we enter the main auditorium, we realize why the venue is so huge–it has to hold over 3000 Christians dedicated to family discipleship and home education! What an encouragement it is just to see all these teammates running the race beside us!
10:15 AM: After hearing a challenging message from Ken Ham (“Hope Lies in Standing on the Authority of Scripture”), we discuss with a friend how simple but poignant a truth it was for him to state that all of Scripture is Jesus’ words–not just the “red-letter” portion. For indeed “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” {John 1:1 KJV} We spend the remainder of our break visiting and deciding which workshop sessions we’re going to attend for the day. (There are three workshop times today and 8 – 9 different sessions to choose from for every time slot!)
11:00 AM to 6:30 PM: We learn so much, meet so many new people, and catch up with so many old friends! Our children especially enjoy the Chorale sessions as they learn singing and ensemble techniques and prepare for tomorrow’s performance. During the bulk of the day, we attend workshops, make some curriculum purchases in the vendor hall, and enjoy a leisurely dinner with other families from our area.
6:30 PM: It’s Family Night! Everyone is engaged in the wonderful performances on stage–from stunning classical music performances to moving drama to foot-tapping bluegrass. Ken Ham’s “Dinosaurs Explained for Kids and Adults” is the perfect way to end our favorite evening of the month–and maybe even the whole year.
Thus concludes Friday. Saturday proved to be equally as fantastic, culminating in a stirring performance by the young people. The theme of this conference is one we will take home with us: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” {1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV} Our bodies are tired, but our spirits are invigorated, and we can’t wait till next year!
